H&M stores across South Africa were shuttered Saturday. Local media reported that destructive protesters had swarmed several locations.

The protesters were reacting to an ad in which a black child wore a sweatshirt that bore the slogan "coolest monkey in the jungle." It appeared on the British version of the Swedish retailer's online store.

Some social media users shared footage claiming to show demonstrators throwing racks of clothing to the ground. Images show merchandise in tangled heaps...